Today’s fast-paced life has left us with little time to focus on our physical and mental health. Fierce competition, mental stress, and lack of physical exercise have created havoc in our lives and have led to severe health conditions, which are difficult to manage without being mindful of our lifestyle choices. Lower back pain is one of the most common health issues among working professionals who have to sit for long hours without any lumbar support like a lumbar cushion. To make things worse, poor posture puts great pressure on the lower back and elevates stress on the soft tissues, which further aggravates the pain in the lower back and makes you susceptible to other chronic issues.
According to statistics, 7.5% of the world’s population suffers from lower back pain.
Back pain was the leading cause of disability worldwide, in the year 2017.
All You Need to Know About Lumbar Back
Before we delve deep into the different aspects of issues and solutions related to lumbar back, let’s look into its anatomy. The lumbar back is the area between the thoracic region that supports the rib cage and sacrum, which is connected to the pelvis; it has five vertebrae labeled as L1 through L5. Our spine has a natural S-shaped curve that changes once we sit on the chair for long hours with our upper back resting against the chair and lower back placed in a forward position, leaving a gap. This position puts extreme pressure on our soft tissues as they support these muscles throughout the day. In this situation, the right posture, the position of the chair, and a lumbar support pillow play a great role.
Choosing the Right Lumbar Cushion
Most of the seating out there, be it an office chair, car seat, recliners or sofas have some kind of lumbar curve. For these kinds of seating Ergo21 has their Lumbar Cushions in two sizes. Regular size 18 x 18 w X 1.5 inches, which works very well with task types of chairs that have a low back or your typical wheelchair. The Large size 18 w x 24 x 1.5 inches is good for high back chairs, sofas, automobiles and recliners. The high resilience medium density foam provides the proper support and at the same time fills in the gentle C curve without digging in. In addition, the spine/back rests on the 4 LiquiCell membranes that keep the nutrients flowing. Another benefit of this type of foam is that it absorbs the road vibrations. The design itself slightly forwards the chest thus increasing breathing by 20 to 25% which helps in staying alert on the road and prevent fatigue because of the higher oxygen intake.
The picture on the left has the Ergo21 Original 2-inch Seat Cushion and the small lumbar.
On task chairs like the one on the right, one can use their Ergo21 Lumbar Roll. This measures 16 w x 10 x 2 inches. It can be strapped to the back and adjusted perfectly to support the spine.
This too has the LiquiCell Blood Flow Technology. In addition, all the three Lumbar devices are covered with a soft micro stretch fabric that does not create pressure points so one can sit comfortably. This chair features their popular Ergo21 Travel Cushion which is very versatile and can be folded in half for easy travel and can be used on a sofa, recliner, dining chair, car and is the favorite of pilots who fly long hours.
From the United States
Melinda Cerisano Suglio
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!
Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2020
Verified Purchase
I am an airline pilot and I have to sit for hours strapped to a seatbelt. Boeing seats get worn down and I have tried many many cushions. This travel seat cushion is easy to carry around it folds well in a tote. It is designed so that you can move forward while seated and twist around without being bothersome. I fly international trips and this cushion has released all back and leg pain. It is a great lumbar pad as well. This has been a great find for me!
Where the depth of a chair is an issue for big body types, the Ergo21 Travel Cushion is ideal as a back/spine cushion. One just slips it behind and positions it at the lower spine.
From the United States
NurseNan
5.0 out of 5 stars Instant relief 🙂
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2022
Verified Purchase
Instant relief using ERGO21! I have 1 or 2 of nearly all ERGO21 products; THEY ALL HELP ME MORE than any other back cushion out there.
I’m not exaggerating, 2 of 4 surgeons recommend I get a 4 level lumbar fusion (L2-S1). Was injured at age 63, now am a 71 y/o retired orthopedic & rehab RN who knows how to pace myself & mostly do the right things re: pain management. I may push pain to the back burner, but it pushes itself to the front again, sometimes on fire.
EXAMPLES:
- Travel – using the lumbar back + sport seat in my old camper or car after a 5 – 6 hour drive (short breaks included), I literally stand up straight & walk about with 80% less pain or stiffness as without ERGO21.
- Back & Butt – the travel cushion is my favorite versatile “go to” cushion to minimize pain at home or even air travel,
I sit on &/or place behind back (I have 2).
AND I enjoy bicycling again, maybe not for hours, but long enough for either a little cardio or a lot of feeling good just cruisin’. - Sleep – I try to travel often, the sleep pad has turned awful mattresses into an “awfully good” nights sleep.
- Foot Pain – after 5 foot surgeries since age 16, I use medical orthotics, but foot pain is still lessened by ERGO21 insoles.
- TV – I try to resist to do nothing in the face of pain, but at the end of the day I have to. The open coccyx Cush didn’t quite feel right until Steve said “turn it around” & voilà, easy fix for my old recliner
- Value – a supreme product by a super decent company for a very fair price & MADE IN THE USA! If you want to pay less, you’ll get a less effective product.
The ERGO21 selection, is UNMATCHED & backed by the ultimate customer service of owner Steve Gambhir! He has amazing intuition & experience in designing a very helpful line of pain minimizing & comfort maximizing items.
Just ordered the mesh chair cushion, lumbar roll + new to me foldable travel cushion w/o foam; I’ll add new review after I use them.
More than words, it’s the experience !!
I can’t say enough, but I’ve said enough.
NanJanRN
Who All Require Lumbar Support?
As discussed earlier, people who are into jobs that require them to sit for long hours, for instance, IT professionals, graphic designers, call center executives, etc. need good lumbar support, which can be achieved by opting for a fine quality lumbar support pillow for office chair. Those struggling with lower back pain, degenerative spine conditions, spinal arthritis, whiplash, spinal stenosis, etc. also require lumbar support for utmost comfort while sitting. Depending upon the severity of the health condition, you can choose a lumbar cushion that is versatile, super-soft and offers relaxation to the spine.
Why is Lumbar Support Important?
According to a study, 50% of working adults have reported symptoms of back pain. It affects people of all ages including adolescents and adults and is the third most common reason for visiting the doctor. To give maximum support to the back and lower the risk of various health issues, it is essential to have lumbar support. Opt for a high-quality lumbar support pillow which fills the gap between your spine and chair and helps correct your posture.
What are the Health Issues Related to Lumbar Back?
Numerous health issues affect your everyday life if you don’t pay attention to the lumbar back support. Health problems like lumbar stenosis, degenerative spine condition, spinal arthritis, whiplash, cervical stenosis, etc. are some common issues that make your everyday activities difficult.
All these above mentioned issues are fatal and can cause serious consequences if ignored. The lumbar stenosis results in narrowing of the spinal canal, which may cause permanent nerve damage and result in paralysis. The degenerative spine condition occurs as a result of aging, infection, arthritis, or herniated discs and may cause pressure on the spine. Cervical stenosis is another spine-related issue wherein the spinal canal is way too small for the cord and roots of the spine. This may result in continuous neck pain, issues with balance, loss of hand functions, and numbness of the arm or leg.
It should be noted that back pain can lead to serious health issues that may drastically transform your life if proper care is not taken to support your lumbar back using a lumbar support cushion.
What are the Different Types of Support?
Considering the rising number of lumbar back issues among people, the market is flooded with different products that are ergonomically designed to ensure good support to your back, especially while sitting. However, the usage depends on a variety of factors like the user’s height, position, and the type of support, etc.
- Fixed Support: Although different types of chairs are designed with fixed support, it doesn’t work for all as every individual has a different S-curve and may need support in different areas. In this situation, Ergo21 lumbar cushion is a great product! Suitable for recliners, sofas, office chairs, and car seats the cushion features a LiquiCell technology that spreads the pressure and protects the skin tissues by offering a soft gliding motion that reduces and eliminates numbness and tail burn.
- Adjustable Support: Designed to suit the unique requirements of every individual, chairs with adjustable support allow you to adjust the height, depth, and firmness. Most office chairs are designed with adjustable lumbar support that can be customized as per your comfort.
- Dynamic Support: Going a step ahead of the normal chairs, the dynamic lumbar support chairs come with the best support that adjusted automatically to your body shape. It can also be positioned up or down to enhance comfort.
What is The Right Position of Support?
Not many people are aware of the exact position where they need lumbar support. If you use a lumbar support pillow for office chair, you must know where it should be placed. The simple rule is to sit on the chair in the right posture and feel the gap between the back and the chair. This gap is exactly where you need support. It is practically impossible to change your old chair, but you can use a fine quality lumbar cushion that offers comfort and reduces strain from your lower back. Too high or low lumbar support may put pressure on the wrong area and may cause pain. Sitting angle, neck rest, arm height, seat tilt, and lumbar support are three basic factors that should always be considered before placing the support pillow on the chair.
Lumbar Support Pillow – A Possible Solution
Take charge of your health by opting for the best solutions that can transform your physical and mental health. A lumbar support pillow is a smart choice if you want to ensure the right posture and superior comfort to your lower back. With innumerable options in the market, it is essential to give a deep thought to the pros and cons of every product and select the one that suits your requirements.
Ergo Lumbar cushion is an innovative and versatile product designed to offer superior cushioning and support to your back. Featuring Liquicell technology, the pillow has liquid-filled membranes that take off all the pressure allowing your body to glide. It has remarkable results in improving the blood flow which in turn reduces the numbness and tail burn, which is not possible in fixed support. This lumbar pillow for car can also be used in sofas, recliners, wheelchairs, etc. Easy to carry and use, these lumbar pillows are the need of the hour!
Ending Note
Taking good care of your spine is essential to maintaining a healthy life. Good posture, regular exercise, and a healthy diet go a long way in strengthening the tissues of the lumbar back. Opt for good quality lumbar support cushions to make things easier and experience comfort all day long whether you are working or traveling.
